On one level, I am very pleased with this coat. It is my trial version, after 2 whole toiles, and 4 collar and sleeve toiles, of the Lady Grey Coat. It is not a bad fit. I was inspired to make a purple version by the Jacarandas, a linen version by Sham's fabulous artistic linen denim coat (Linen can work as a coat, an A- Ha moment), and a long version by Tanits-Isis' long and glamorous coat (although I should have considered that the long and glamorous figure that enhanced this coat was not something I could replicate). I am very pleased with the photographs of the coat with the Jacarandas.
I love the buttons and the colour.
On another level, I am very unhappy with this coat. I even have fabric use remorse. I love this linen (Michael's Fabrics), which has been imagined as dozens of different, fabulous outfits during its sojourn in my stash, and there are only scraps left. I am not going to detail my dis-satisfactions, which are, objectively, minor. Robin wrote in this post that sewing is the perfect hobby for a perfectionist. I was trying to remember a perfect sewn project of my own, and could not. I think the curse of perfectionism may be the root cause of sew-itis. It probably also makes you work towards becoming better at sewing.
My next coat will be better.
I will probably not wear this coat often. I frequently need to sternly remind myself that many of the sewing blogs I read originate from temperate or dreadfully cold climates. This coat is a lot warmer than I expected, despite being made from linen and lined with poly-cotton batiste.
My thoughts of wearing it as a spring or autumn coat-dress are impractical. I did not use tailoring techniques, other than applying stay tape to the roll line. It looks fine without using tailoring IMO, although I think it would look more expensive had I used piping in the collar and facing seams rather than topstitching. I was hoping to wear it occasionally before I make my velvet coat, to check wearability issues, but I don't think this will happen before next winter. Maybe it will grow on me. It is just that the coat in my head was so much better than the one that is now in my wardrobe.
I need to make something easy!
24 comments:
I think your coat is quite lovely! Surely it will look more appealing in 6 months when your weather cools? I really love the buttons
Well, I think it is lovely, and you have a lovely figure for it. (Thank you for the compliment,however!)
The only comment I would make on the coat (other than drooling over the colour) is that the second row of buttons looks a little low, appearing to drag your waist lower than it is; it might be more balanced with a third set of buttons (even if only decorative), above, around where your lapel roll starts. Although adding the sash or a belt would probably produce the same result---more definition at your actual waist. The rest, I think, is divine, and good work on the collar and sleeve especially! :)
Wonderfully beautiful. I hope my coat fits as well as yours.
Hrrm, on glancing back, the lapel rolls lower than I had remembered. Ah well. Scratch that portion of the comment. :P
I love the color and the buttons. I never would have thought to use linen. It looks so pretty.
:)Deb M.
Karen, that is a beautiful coat and, wow, what a perfectly spectacular setting to use for the photos. It fits you beautifully, which you certainly worked for.
It's too bad that you are feeling a bit let down, but see how you feel over time.
Thanks for your compliment on my linen coat. ;) I am really enjoying it and it is warmer than one might expect.
It's one thing to have a sewing disappointment - it's quite another for it to be a coat. There is a lot of sewing in a coat. (and one that was muslined so many times too!)
The colour is gorgeous and the idea had great potential, I can see why you thought it was worth the risk - my motto is it's pretty much always worth the risk.
Auckland too, is too warm for all the winter coats I crave - a knee length double breasted wool coat would be too warm, even on the coldest of days.
I hope you find a way to wear this gorgeous coat with pride.
I think your coat looks great! The only comment is that on women (so I was taught) garments should close with the right side on top. Isn't it so?
Its lovely, but given that you live in a hotter climate than Sydney I can't imagine that you will wear this much before March.
Great coat, beautiful photo setting! I think your sewitis may have to do with this: 1. The full, full-length coat isn't a silhouette we see a lot of these days. Maybe it takes some getting used to? 2. It might look a bit better on your shape/height if it were shorter. Just my opinion. Would you be open to trying it shorter? 3. Who doesn't get sew-itis after a project as involved as a coat? We all do.
What a wonderful coat! And a wonderful tree!
Greetings from germany!
Bettina BeAu*tiful
Shame you don't love it :( It looks lovely from here. The trees are gorgeous too. We have another month or more before ours start to bloom. But they won't look as good as yours.
Maybe you have to get used to it for a while, but I do hope you'll wear this coat, because I think it looks beautiful. The colour is stunning and did you say something about your figure? Because really, you have a lovely silhouette in this coat. I think you are beautiful!
what a beautiful coat - I love the buttons. Maybe after you have a little time away from all the work you did you will love it more.
I sometimes resent garments that take a lot of work, but grow to love them later
As I know it will fit me, you may send it to England. But it looks lovely on you. You want a scarf with it. Wear it on your next trip to Europe.
Oh, but it's lovely. Your buttons are gorgeous. I agree about the climate thing. I have way too many full length wool and cashmere overcoats for someone who lives in the subtropics. You just have to find excuses to wear it, even if it is just standing out under the jacarandas. Put it in the cupboard until next winter and I am sure you will fall in love with it all over again.
I get that feeling with a lot of projects of it not living up to my expectations.
However having said that your coat looks gorgeous and I think your duct tape dummy worked really well too!
I think you are being too hard on yourself... the coat looks gorgeous! A little Edwardian in its feel, and I'm sure you will wear it during your mild Queensland winters. I like the longer length.
I hope that when the weather is chilly you'll feel more enthused about the project. I can't imagine a place where a linen coat lined with batiste is too warm! Is there any need for lawyers where you live? 'Cause I'll move there in a heartbeat. Love the color and it looks impeccable.
It looks beautiful against the jacarandas, but I must admit, I was wondering how you got to wear it when I have been sewing swimwear! I enjoyed your posts about the dressform...sorry was too busy to comment a few days ago. Some of the funniest sewing stories I have heard have been about making dressforms!
Hailing from one of those dreadfully cold climates you mentioned....I started wearing two pairs of socks plus slippers a few weeks ago.
I think in the end the coat turned out quite nice. The color is gorgeous. And it was a good learning experience to witness the toile fitting process.
Love your coat. It's going to look great in the winter and when you travel to cooler climates. How's that for more motivation to travel...
This is a little late, but you did a fabulous job! The color is beautiful and I love the longer length.
I love it, it's just my kind of coat.
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